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Sony A850 vs Sony S980

Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Sony A850 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Revealed April 2010
Sony S980
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Released February 2009
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Sony A850 vs Sony S980 Overview

Here is a extensive analysis of the Sony A850 vs Sony S980, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both offered by Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the A850 (25MP) and S980 (12MP) and the A850 (Full frame) and S980 (1/2.3") possess different sensor sizing.

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The A850 was brought out 15 months later than the S980 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.

Before we go through a more detailed comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the A850 grades versus the S980 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Sony S980

 A850 S980 
ReleasedApril 2010February 2009Fresher by 15 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kCrisper screen (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony A850

 S980 A850 

Common features in the Sony A850 and Sony S980

 A850 S980 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Sony A850 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera often, you need to consider its weight and proportions. The Sony A850 provides outer dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") along with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

See the Sony A850 vs Sony S980 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are working with at that time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the A850 versus the S980.

Sony A850 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the A850 and S980 is 54 and 94 respectively.

Sony A850 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Sony A850 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizing purely by looking through technical specs. The photograph below might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the A850 and S980.

As you can tell, both of these cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The A850 due to its bigger sensor is going to make getting bokeh easier and the Sony A850 will provide you with more detail having its extra 13MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs far more aggressively. The fresher A850 should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Sony A850 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Sony A850 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A850 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A850 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony S980 as a Portrait photography camera
72
has manual focus
resolution is excellent (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
no liveview
27
manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony A850 as a Street photography camera
Sony S980 as a Street photography camera
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
no articulating screen
47
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony A850 Sports photography factors
Sony S980 Sports photography factors
71
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is excellent (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
weather proofing
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview
max fps very slow (3.0 frames/s)
17
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A850
Travel photography with Sony S980
55
weather proofing
resolution is excellent (25MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
doesn't have selfie friendly display
51
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A850 Landscape photography details
Sony S980 Landscape photography details
73
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is excellent (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
no liveview
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
27
manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A850
Vlogging with Sony S980
9
lack of video recording
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone port
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Sony A850 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A850 and Sony S980
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A850Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Class Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-04-15 2009-02-17
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 25MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 6048 x 4032 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance - 10cm
Total lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 922 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT Xtra Fine color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 98% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 895 gr (1.97 lbs) 167 gr (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 1415 not tested
Other
Battery life 880 photographs -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-FM500H -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 2 1
Launch cost $0 $300